Lullabies of the World: Beloved and Popular International Songs That Soothe Children
We’re introducing lullabies from around the world.
Japan also has many lullabies, and many of you may remember songs your parents sang to you.
Among them, there might even be foreign lullabies you thought were Japanese.
In this article, we’ll introduce classic and popular foreign lullabies that have been sung across the globe and are recommended for soothing children.
These songs often have melodies and atmospheres different from Japanese lullabies, and listening to them may feel refreshing.
You might even discover a surprising song that helps your child fall asleep.
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[World Lullabies] Beloved and Popular Classics from Abroad that Soothe Children (11–20)
Cossack LullabyRoshia no Komoriuta
A lullaby transcribed by the Russian writer Mikhail Lermontov during his exile.
In 1838, while exiled in the Caucasus, he notated a lullaby sung by an old woman and adapted it into Russian verse.
Later, the composer Alexander Gretchaninov set the text to music as the art song “Lullaby,” which is still widely sung today.
Its distinctive, wistful melody—quite different from Japanese lullabies—is also recommended for babies who have trouble falling asleep to ordinary lullabies.
Rock A Bye BabyMazāgūsu no komoriuta
A Mother Goose lullaby published in Britain in the late 18th century.
Although today it is often sung with peaceful lyrics, the original features strikingly painful verses characteristic of Mother Goose.
There is a theory that it serves as a cautionary lesson—that excessive ambition can cause your footing to crumble and send you tumbling down—and it may also have been a way for mothers to impart guidance from infancy.
Despite the lyrics, the melody feels gentle, making it a recommended lullaby for soothing babies to sleep.
Aaija Nidarinepaaru no komoriuta
A lullaby sung by a Nepali artist, based on a short lullaby that has been sung since long ago.
The lyrics use words that delight babies, making it a beloved lullaby that helps them drift off to sleep in a happy mood.
Its distinctive, folk-inspired melody also brings peace to the heart.
You’ll hear many words that sound like “ai-jō” (love) in Japanese, so even if you don’t understand the other words, it’s easy to sing along with feeling—another recommended point.
It’s a lullaby that gently leads babies who have trouble falling asleep into the world of dreams—one you’ll definitely want to play for them at least once.
Heidschi BumbeidschiChiroru no Komoriuta
A traditional Austrian folk song from Tyrol in western Austria, this lullaby is characterized by a gentle waltz rhythm.
The title “Heidschi Bumbeidschi” has no particular meaning; it functions like a soothing phrase used to lull children to sleep, similar to “nennen kororiyo okororiyo” in Japanese.
Although it’s omitted in the Japanese translation, the original lyrics include a verse that suggests a separation from the mother—unusual content for a lullaby.
Even so, its catchy, comforting melody may help calm a baby.
With its tender tune that’s just right for bedtime, it’s a lullaby we’d love parents and children to listen to together.
The Dream Passes by the Window (Yume wa Madobe o Sugite)ukuraina no komoriuta
This song, a traditional Ukrainian lullaby, carries a uniquely melancholic and dreamy mood typical of the Russian-speaking world.
The famous lullaby “Summertime” by the American composer George Gershwin resembles this piece, and around the time this song was created, the Ukrainian National Choir performed it at Carnegie Hall.
There is even talk that Gershwin may have heard it and drawn inspiration from it.
If true, it’s a fascinating story.
